Parental Alienation in Custody Battles: Legal Remedies in Washington State

Parenting is a demanding job, especially for those caring for younger children who have not yet started school. Moreover, divorced or separated parents face additional challenges in establishing a fair parenting plan that both prioritizes the child’s best interests and allows both parents to have ample time to care for their child. In addition to the logistical challenges of deciding how to schedule time between houses, drop-offs, holiday schedules, and other matters, co-parents may encounter communication issues that prevent them from sticking to the parenting plan or making important decisions about their child’s well-being. For example, if a parent refuses to return the other parent’s phone calls or texts about when to drop off the child according to the plans set forth in the parenting plan, this can create a tense and stressful situation for the parents and the child. Although there are several communication problems that can affect the dynamics of co-parenting, one of the most substantial involves parental alienation. Essentially, parental alienation occurs when one parent manipulates the child into “turning against” the other parent, which usually happens gradually. Over time, the parent engaging in these tactics is able to erode the child’s relationship with the other parent, resulting in a more favorable custody arrangement with the child (even though this is achieved through underhanded and manipulative ways). 

As you may imagine, the parent who is the target of parental alienation in Washington state can be devastated to learn that their child is “turning against” them or preferring the other parent due to psychological manipulation or outright lies. If you are struggling with a co-parent that is engaging in these forms of emotional manipulation, it’s worth sharing your concerns with a highly experienced and compassionate Seattle family law attorney who can help you explore some effective parental alienation legal remedies that address these unfair behaviors and restore your relationship with your child. Let’s take a closer look at how parental alienation can escalate into King County custody battles and some of the strategies you can use to push back against these manipulative behaviors as effectively as possible.

What is Parental Alienation? 

First, it’s helpful to define what the term parental alienation typically means within the context of child custody and family law. One working definition of parental alienation states that it “can be identified through the presence of five factors: (1) the child refuses, opposes, or avoids a relationship with a parent; (2) the child had a positive relationship with that parent before they rejected them; (3) there is no evidence of abuse or neglect perpetrated by the rejected parent; (4) the other parent has used multiple parental alienating behaviors; (5) the child exhibits behavioral manifestations of parental alienation.” Ultimately, the parent engaging in these tactics aims to “damage and sever the relationship between the child and the child’s other parent (targeted parent).” Children who are subjected to parental alienation may develop mental health difficulties, anxiety disorders, trauma reactions, emotional pain, or substance abuse issues. It’s important to note that parental alienation is different from parental estrangement, which refers to an impairment in a parent-child relationship due to valid concerns (i.e., abuse, abandonment, or other unsafe behaviors on the part of the parent). 

Recognizing the Signs of Parental Alienation in Washington State

Parental alienation can assume many different forms, so it’s important to recognize some of the most common ways that it can manifest itself in a co-parenting situation. Parental alienation may begin with one parent making negative or derogatory comments about the targeted parent in front of the child and consistently pointing out their flaws or other shortcomings. Or, a parent may begin to restrict or withhold communication between the targeted parent and the child in order to erode the quality of their relationship. More insidious signs of parental alienation may include refusing to cooperate with established visitation schedules, creating unnecessary barriers that get in the way of the parenting plan’s terms, or encouraging the child to feel negatively toward the other parent. In some situations, the parent may invent false accusations about the targeted parent in order to destroy the relationship between the targeted parent and the child. Any degree of parental alienation can be distressing and upsetting for your child (not to mention for the targeted parent, as well). If you suspect that your co-parent is using these tactics against you, it’s time to enlist the guidance and support of a trusted and caring Seattle child custody attorney as soon as possible to explore your options. 

How Washington Courts Handle Parental Alienation Accusations

Whenever an accusation of parental alienation is brought to the court’s attention, it will strive to ensure that the child’s best interests and safety are the top priority. Washington courts take these allegations seriously, and these matters will be examined thoroughly in order to determine an outcome that protects the child’s welfare while encouraging meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible. If you are the target of a co-parent’s parental alienation tactics, you and your experienced and dedicated Seattle family law attorney can gather and present clear and compelling evidence that illustrates the other parent’s attempts to turn your child against you or deny you your custodial and visitation rights. The findings of the court can affect important custody decisions.

Recognizing the Role of a Guardian ad Litem or Evaluator

Accusations of parental alienation may require the involvement of court-appointed custody evaluators or mental health professionals to help the court make its decision. The court often appoints a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to represent the child’s best interests during this stressful time. For instance, a GAL can investigate claims of parental alienation and submit their findings and other relevant insights to the court to shed light on how these tactics are affecting the child’s mental and emotional health. Depending on the circumstances of your case, other professionals may be involved at some point during the process to help the court evaluate the credibility of the parental alienation claims so that the judge can issue an informed decision that protects the best interests of the child.

Legal Remedies for Parental Alienation in King County

As you approach your parental alienation case, it’s highly recommended that you enlist the guidance of a knowledgeable and empathetic Seattle family law attorney who can help you evaluate the legal remedies that may be available to you. Taking the other parent to court and presenting clear and compelling evidence that shows they are engaging in parental alienation activities and undermining the terms of the existing parenting plan may prompt the court to find that parent in contempt of court. Depending on the nature of the concerns and the evidence provided, the court may also order one or both parents to participate in counseling sessions with the goal of improving their communication and relational skills. In some cases, you may seek a custody modification due to parental alienation concerns, although it’s worth noting that the Washington court system will still try to seek a parenting plan that allows both parents to spend time with their child (unless there are valid reasons for restricting one parent from caring for the child). 

Building a Parental Alienation Case in Washington State

If you have reason to believe that the other parent is engaging in parental alienation tactics in an attempt to ruin your relationship with your child, reach out to Seattle’s go-to family law firm right away to start building your case. Together, you can start to compile evidence of parental alienation and identify witnesses who can support these accusations against the other parent. While parental alienation can be difficult to prove, your trusted and highly experienced attorney will be able to support your effort and determine the most strategic path forward that aims to stop these unfair and damaging behaviors as quickly as possible. 

Protecting Your Parent-Child Relationship

Finding that your child is pulling away from you or listening to the other parent’s lies or unfair portrayal of you can be extremely upsetting. Before you assume the worst, it’s worth sharing your concerns with a trusted and highly skilled Seattle parental alienation lawyer who can provide you with the care and reassurance you need to address these manipulative campaigns against you. If you find that your child is avoiding your calls, withdrawing from conversations with you, or making hurtful comments about you all of a sudden, these may be signs that your co-parent is attempting to turn your child against you and engaging in acts of parental alienation. Your dedicated legal advocate can help you identify ways to protect your relationship with your child as much as possible while you work to hold the other parent accountable for these underhanded and downright manipulative efforts to hurt your parent-child relationship.   

Child custody matters can become highly emotional and stressful, especially if one parent is engaging in parental alienation tactics to deny the other parent the opportunity for a meaningful connection with the child. If you are struggling with parental alienation and child custody issues in the greater Seattle area, please reach out to the Hemmat Law Group today at (206) 682-5200 to get started with a highly experienced and empathetic divorce and family law attorney.